Machine for operating upon hides, skins, and leather



April 9, 1935. P. NIESSEN MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON HIDES, SKINS, AND LEATHER Filed 8, 933

I 77! 0 1. PM v I Patented Apr. 9, 1935 i UNITED STATES,

P TEN (OFFIC MACHINE FOR OPERATING.1UPON HIDE S SKINS, AND LEATHER I This invention relates to machines for operating upon hides, skins, and leather. While the invention is illustrated as embodied in a shaving machine, it will be understood that the invention and various important features thereof may have other applications and, uses, as, for example, in buffing, cutting, and grinding machines.

In treadle operated shaving machines, as heretofore constructed, agfixed adjustable abutment has been provided for limiting, the movement of the bed rollin a direction toward the bladed cylinder, the purpose being to limit the depth of the cut by predetermining the spacing between the bed roll and the shaving cylinder when the former is in work presenting position with respect to the latter. When it is desired to change the spacing the operator resets the adjustable abutment. It will be understood that this may be done as a practical matter in conditioning the machine for operations upon assorted lots of work which lots differ one from another substantially in thickness. It is impractical, however, to adjust the abutment for eachpiece of work since such an operation would involve the expenditure of too much time and effort. It is also impractical to adjust the abutment to vary the depth of the cut for'differentportions of the same piece of work. Although attempts have been made to facilitate such an adjustment of the bed roll in a shaving machine such devices have been used but little by the operator of the machine since to do so would slow up operations and reduce the output upon which his pay depends. Furthermore, adjustment of a fixed abutment while operating on a given piece of work was liable to result in the production of a pronounced offset at the line of demarcation between theshaved areas before and after adjustment. Hence,'the operator had to exercise unusual care and skill after such adjustment or have his work condemned as unsatisfactory.

In shaving operations upon skins and other pieces of leather, it is desirable to vary the depth of the shaving cut while operating upon each piece of work, for the reason that various portions of each hide, skin or other piece of leather differ substantially not only in thicknesses but in texture. For instance, the flank and belly portions of a skin are of considerably looser texture than the portions along the backbone line and in the butt of the skin. Furthermore, in consequence of certain finishing operations the spongy parts of a skin, after shaving, become thinner than the denser portions in the middle 55 of the skin and in the butt portions thereof.

Hence, the looser textured flank and belly portions should notbe shaved as deeply as the denser butt and back portions.

It is an object of this inventionto facilitate machine operations upon skins and pieces of leather in such.manner that the operator may readily vary the pressure at which'machine operations areperformedto suit the requirements of various portions of each skin or other piece of leather undergoing treatment. It is a further object of the invention to, provide an improved work support mechanism of general utility in leather manufacturing machinery, said mechanism being distinctiveparticularly by reason ofthe facility with which it may be adjusted 'at various distances with respect to each other while the tool is operating on the piece of work so that the work may be operated upon in a mannerto suit varying requirements in different portions thereof. Conveniently ,the said means comprises a yielding abutment and a fixed abutment, the latter being operative to determine one co-operative position of the work support and tool andto set a positive limit to the relative approaching movement of the work support and tool. The yielding abutment is operative to eifect another positioning of the tool and work support relative, to each other and is of such assistance in controlling the relative positions of the work support and tool that the operator may, with ordinary care, secure treatment of the work suited to the conditions in various portions thereof while at the same time avoiding any sudden transition in the pressure at which treatment of the work is performed, or abrupt change in the depth of the out where the tool is an abrasive member or a cutter operative 'to remo-ve portions from a surface of the work.

taneously adjustable as a unit in a supporting member carried by the machine frame wherein they may be readily fixed'in adjustedposition, the fixed and yielding abutments beingalso relatively adjustable to provide for variation in the range of controlled adjustment of the work support to suit the characteristics of differentportions of a given'piece of work;

I These and other important features of the invention' and novel combinations of parts will now be described in detail in the specification and then pointed out more particularlyin thejappended claims. i

7 Fig.1 of the drawing is a view in side eleva-' tion, and partly in section, of a shaving machine illustrating one embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 is a detailview, in section; of the work support adjusting means.

In the illustrated machine, which is designed particularly for, shaving operations upon hides and skins; there is provided a bladed cylinder 4 "mounted for rotation in bearings carried by a r to -machine frame 6. s For presenting each piece of work to'the bladed cylinder 4 "there is provided a work support comprising a bed roll 8 rotatably "carried at the upper ends of swing arms one of which is shown at 10, as pivotally 'mounted upon a shaft 12 carried by the 'machine frame 6.

For moving the work support toward the bladed,

cylinder 4 there is provided a treadle mechanism comprising a 'bell crank lever l4 pivoted upon ashaft I6carried by themachine frame,

the bell crank lever having a tread portion l1 and also an upright arm portion I8 provided with a set screw 20- adapted to contact with a crossbar 22 connecting the lower portions of the swing arms It. It will be clear from an inspection of Fig. l'that upon depression of the tread-portion 16 of the treadle I 4 the bed roll-8 at the upper ends of the swing arms-l0 will be moved to the right in Fig. 1 to press the work against-the bladed cylinder 4. l s

' Means isprovided for limiting the movement of the bed roll 8 in the direction toward the bladed cylinder 4, the said means comprising a fixed abutment 24 and a movable abutment 26 which normally-projects beyond the fixed abutment 24. As shown, both abutments 24 and 26 are carried by a sleeve member 28 which is exteriorly screw threaded for adjustment in an interiorly screw threaded ciroular opening in a tie or girderfi!) rigidly mounted upon the machine frame 6. It will be understood that this adjustment of the abutments as a unit is made to suit the machine for operationsupon various lotsof work which differsubstantially in thickness. For holding the sleeve 28 in its adjusted position with respect to the girder 30 there is provided an annular nut member 32 screw threaded upon the sleeve 28 and having a hub portion with a flat surface to'contact with a surface on the girder 3% the said annular member 32 being of a size to furnish sufficient leverage so that it may be readily manipulated by the operator to looking or unlocking position. Screw threaded within a cylindrical chambered portion of the sleeve 28 is a second sleeve member 34 which is also interiorly screw threaded to'support adjustably the fixed abutment 24 which has a screwthreaded portion fitting the interiorly screw threaded portion of the sleeve 34, a nut 36 being provided for hold- ;ingthe abutment member 24 in adjusted position: 'To facilitate rotation of the abutment 24 within the sleeve 34 it has a squared end 38 adapted to be engaged by a 'wrenchor'other suitable tool..

This adjustment of the abutment 24 is for the purpose of determining the normal or initial distance between the operative surfaces of the F This distance may two .abutments 24 and 26.

measureffrom one-third to one millimeter, de-

pending on the thickness and quality of the skins, it being understood that said distance or spacing of the abutments may be much greater in conditioning the machine for shaving operations on heavy hides or on splits from the latter.

justment of the sleeve 34 the latter is provided with recesses 44 adapted to be engaged by a spanner tool the forks of which are spacedto engage in said recesses.- Adjustment of the sleeve 28 after proper manipulation of the lock ing nut 32 may be readily accomplished by turning a wheel member 46 which is rigid with said sleeve 28.' I I W In operating the machine a piece ofwork such as a tanned skin is draped over thefbed roll8 with a portion interposed-between the bed roll and the bladed cylinder 4, this introduction of the work taking place while the bed roll-8 is swung to the left in Fig. 1 in spaced relation to the cylinder 4. Upon depressing tnetread part l6 of the treadle M the .bedroll 8 is caused to move toward the-bladed cylinder 4 until the lower end 22 -of the swing arms It engages the yieldingabutment 26, it being assumed thatfthicker and looser textured portions of the work (such-as a hide) are being presented to the bladed cylinder 4 foritreatment. While abutment 26 is yieldable, the spring 42 is of sufficient strength to maintain said abutment in operative position in the initial depression of the treadle i4. At least, that is. what happens when the operator gets the feel of his machine. As the shaving operations are conuntreated portions to the cylinder-4. As the thintinued the'work is constantly shifted to present ner denser portions of the workare approached the operator presses a little heavier on the tread l6, thereby causing retraction of the movable abutment 26 against the spring 42 with the result that it is gradually forced backuntil it is in into the "denser portions on one side and'into the more spongy portions of the flank and belly portions on the other side. Hence the provision of the yielding abutment 26' makes it possible gradually to vary the depth of the cut made by ment were suddenly forced back into alinement with the fixed abutment 24. -In shavingoperations upon skins,'the denser, thicker back and butt portions are presented; to-the machine first and the yielding abutment 26 employed in positioning the bed roll 8. Subsequently to oper- I 'ateon the thinner flank and belly portions, the

treadle lS'lis further depressed" to remove portions from the' fi'esh surface of'gsaid flank and belly portions. It will be clear, therefore, that through provision of the fixed and yielding'abutments various portions'of each piece of work may be -'treated in afmanner to secure the best results,

the workfbeing at all times under the control of theoperator whose work is facilitated by proper positioning of the work support by the fixed ceive a piece of work and subsequently toward each other into position to operate on the work, a manually operable member to cause the relative approaching movement of the tool and work support, and means to effect relative positioning of the work support and tool selectively, under the control of said manually operable member, at various distances from each other during operations on a piece of work.

2. In a machine for operating upon hides, skins, and leather, a tool and a work support relatively movable into position to operate upon a piece of work, a manually operable member to cause such relative movement, and a stop device carried by the machine frame and arranged to eflect relative positioning of the work support and tool selectively, under control of said manually operable member, at different distances with respect to each other while the tool is operating on a piece of Work.

3. In a machine for operating upon hides, skins, and leather, a tool and a work support relatively movable into position to operate upon a piece of work, a manually operable member to cause such relative movement, and means comprising a fixed and a movable abutment to effect relative positioning of the work support and tool, under control of said manually operable member,

alternatively in different spaced relations with respect to each other while the tool is operating on a piece of Work.

4. In a machine for operating upon hides, skins, and leather, a tool, a work support movable to present a piece of work to the tool, a member manually operableto move the work support to work presenting position with respect to said tool, and a stop device comprising relatively movable parts operative to engage and hold the work support at different distances from said tool while the latter is operating upon a piece of work.

5. In a machine for operating upon hides, skins, and leather, a rotary tool and a work support relatively movable to operate upon pieces of work, a treadle to cause such relative movement of the work support and tool, and a stop device comprising a fixed and a movable abutmentto efiect relative positioning of the work support and tool at different distances with respect to each other while the tool is operating upon a piece of work.-

6; In a machine for operating upon hides,

skins, and leather, a bladed cylinder, a work support comprising a'bed roll to present pieces of work to the bladed cylinder, a treadle to move the bed roll to work presenting position with respect to said cylinder, and a yielding abutment to engage the work support to hold the bed roll selectively at different distances with respect to saidbladed cylinder while the latter is operating one; piece of work.

'7. In a machine for operating upon hides, skins, and leather, a bladed cylinder, a work support comprising a bed roll to present pieces of work to the'bladed cylinder, 9. treadle to move the bed roll towork presenting position with respect to said cylinder, and a fixed and ayieldable abutment having then-operative surfaces spaced a predetermined distance from each other and operative to hold the work support during treatment of the work selectively at various dis tances with respect/to the cylinder within the range provided by the spacing of the operative surfaces of the abutments.

8.'In a machine for operating upon hides, skins, ,andleather, a; bladed cylinder, 8. work support comprising a bed roll to present pieces of work to the bladed cylinder, atreadle to move the bed roll to work presenting position with respect to said cylinder, and a fixed and ayieldable abutment having their operative surfaces spaced a predetermined distance from each other and. operative tohold the work support during treatment of the work selectively at various distances with respect to the cylinder within the range provided by the spacing of the operative surfaces of the abutments, said abutments being mounted for adjustment relative to each other to vary the spacing of their operative surfaces.

9. In a machine for operating upon hides, skins, and leather, a bladed cylinder, a work support comprising a bed roll to present pieces of work to the bladed cylinder, a treadle to move the bed roll to work presenting position with respect to said cylinder, an abutment yieldingly mounted and operative to position the bed roll with respect to said bladed cylinder during treatment of the work, and a fixed abutment arranged to become operative upon completion of the retractive movement of the yieldable abutment to locate the bed roll at a lesser distance from the bladed member than that initially provided by the yielding abutment.

10. In a machine for operating upon hides,

comprising a fixed and a movable abutment ar- I ranged to engage the work support to locate the latter alternatively in one or the other of two spaced positions with respect to said tool while the latter is operating on a piece of work.

12. A stop device for use in leather working machines to. position a'moving member selectively at various distances from a stationary member during operations on a piece of work which com- Cat prises a sleeve adaptedto be adjustably mounted in astationary part of the machine frame, an abutment rigidly carried .by said sleeve to position the moving member in a predetermined working relation to the stationary member, and

-another abutment yieldingly mounted relatively prises a sleeve adapted to be adjustably mounted in a stationary part of the machine frame, an

abutment rigidly carried by said sleeve to posi -p tionthe movingmember ina predetermined work ing relation to the stationary member; and an abutment mounted upon and yieldable relatively' to said sleeve and arranged to project beyond'the' stationary abutment to position the movingmember initially in another predetermined working relation to the stationary member, said abutments being relatively adjustable to vary the distance between. the operative faces of said abutments thereby'to change the range of adjustment of the moving and stationary members with respect to eachother. r

v i 14. A stop device for in leather working machines which comprises a sleeve adapted to be adjustably mounted in astationary part of the machine. frame, an abutment rigidly carried by said sleeve and an abutmentyieldingly' mounted insaid sleeve and arranged to project beyond the stationary abutment, said rigidly carried abutment being mounted for adjustment within said sleeves r 5 a stop device a in leather working machines which comprises a sleeve adapted tobe adjustably mounted in a stationary part of the machine frame, a second sleeve member rotatably mounted withinthe first-mentioned sleeve memher," an abutment fixedlybut adjustably connected to said second sleeve, an abutmentslidably niounted within the first-mentioned sleeve, and having a portion projecting therefrom, and" a springarranged between the second-mentioned sleeve and the movable abutment to holdthe latter yieldingly in projected position with its: operative 'face in spaced relation to the operativeiace of the fixed abutment, e l

. I PAUL'NIESSEN. 

